Ole Miss Wesley Foundation joins others for ecumenical service

2/19/2008

The Wesley Foundation at the University of Mississippi on Feb. 6 joined with the Episcopal Church, Catholic Campus Ministry, Lutheran Campus Ministry and Rebels for Christ Campus Ministry for an interfaith Ash Wednesday service at Paris-Yates Chapel.

“This was an amazing opportunity for students from all different church backgrounds to join together and observe one of the most somber seasons in Christianity,” said D. Merricks, director of the Wesley Foundation.

More than 150 students and members of the Oxford community attended the service which included the traditional Ash Wednesday liturgy with the imposition of ashes. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the holy season of Lent – a six-week period before Easter that encourages prayer, penitence and fasting among all believers to prepare their hearts and minds for the resurrection of Christ.

“We are always seeking ways to provide our students with deeper and more meaningful spiritual experiences on campus,” said Merricks. “On Ash Wednesday, we remember our own mortality that Christ shared with us and experienced through his crucifixion and death. We must remember that before there can be ‘Hallelujahs’ on Easter Sunday, there must first come mourning and a season of self-sacrifice.”

For information on the Wesley Foundation at Ole Miss, you can visit www.olemisswesley.org.

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